Resource Guide: The best of batch control

Control's monthly resource guide brings you the latest online resources on a variety of process control topics.

ISA batch standard site

The International Society of Automation (ISA) website has many details about the standard and the activities of its ISA88 committee, including contact information for many of its leaders and members. Articles and resources are also available, and the standards themselves are even available for purchase. Visit the main site.

McMillan on batch

In one of the best batch videos ever, Control columnist Greg McMillan delivers a one-hour presentation, “Batch process control—unique challenges and opportunities,” under the auspices of the ISA. It includes thorough examinations of how manufacturers are using modern process controls to maintain quality from one batch to another. McMillan discusses analyzing batch data, elevating the role of the operator, tuning key control loops, and setting up simple control strategies to optimize batch operations. There’s also an extensive list of best practices. It’s available here.

Same batch channel

OSIsoft has produced a short video, “ISA S88.01 Standard, V2.0,” as part of its Virtual Learning Lab Environment series of about 30 total videos on how its PI software is used in batch and other applications. It’s located here.

Excitement of batch control

Many process engineers and other technical professionals get pretty inspired when they realize that the principles of the ANSI/ISA-88 (S88) standard can be applied way beyond batch control, and none more so than Larry and Jim, the two organizers of BatchControl.com. Their instructive and humorous website includes numerous resources on the S88 and S95 standards and many other aspects of applying “robust batch design and control.” It includes “an S88.01 tutorial, introduction to S95, ideas on how to sell S88 batch control to management or customers, and links to articles and other sites with batch control themes to aid in your learning and development.”

Tutorial on terms

As part of its multi-video tutorial on its Simatic Batch solution, Siemens presents several subsections on many of the most important terms and concepts, as well as a description of the process model according to ISA88 using the analogy of a kitchen. They’re all located here.

Batch at a beverage plant

Following a recent development project at a bottling plant, Design Group, a division of Barry-Wehmiller, produced a 25-minute webinar and video, “Rapid implementation of beverage plant, S88 batch process.” The company added some equipment control modules to the PlantPAx control system at the plant. It’s available here.

How to pick a batch controller

This online article, “Considerations for Selecting a Controller- or Server-Based Batch Sequencer,” by John Parraga of Rockwell Automation, show how to identify the right solution by considering the three types of batch and sequencing solutions, which include hard-coded, controller-based and server-based. It’s located on our site.

Batch and beyond

This feature article, “Next Steps: From Batch to Procedure-Controlled Automation,” by former Control editor Walt Boyes, show how the principles of batch automation are being used in continuous processes to improve process safety and quality, as well as compensate for losing older, highly experienced operators. It’s located here.